Oxalic acid as the in situ carbon monoxide generator in palladium-catalyzed hydroxycarbonylation of arylhalides.

An efficient palladium-catalyzed hydroxycarbonylation reaction of arylhalides using oxalic acid as a CO source has been developed. The reaction features high safety, low catalyst loading, and a broad substrate scope, and provides a safe and tractable approach to access a variety of aromatic carboxylic acid compounds. Mechanistic studies revealed the decomposition pattern of oxalic acid.